Recently, a group of friends inadvertently bumped into a powerful way to turn around the most significant problems of our lives! We were simply hanging out and praying together when God told us something completely unexpected! He shared that our problems aren’t always problems. Sometimes they are “friends” helping us discover something unexpected, pushing us out of our comfort zone to gain the goodness He has for us.
This was uncomfortable for all of us in the group but after a while, it began to make sense. After all, when we have a problem we usually pay attention to it, pray about it, and attempt to find a solution. Why wouldn’t God use our problems to help us discover something He wants to share? (Romans 8:28)
Skeptical?
If you are up for an experiment, let me show you what we discovered. It takes about 10 – 15 minutes.
Find somewhere quiet, or go for a walk if you connect with God better when you are moving. Bring a journal or somewhere to take some notes.
First, invite God into the experiment with a prayer something like…”Dear God, I am so grateful You are here with me right now. Thank You that you promise to bring good from all things (Romans 8:28) so I don’t need to worry at all about any problem I am facing (Matthew 6:25-33). As you know I am dealing with _______ (briefly mention a single problem you are experiencing. He knows all the details so limit it to a sentence or two. If you are dealing with more than 1 problem, do this exercise for each one separately). I would really like your help bringing good from this situation. Thank You for communicating very clearly with me as I seek Your help, guidance, and wisdom. I am so grateful.”
Now, as difficult as it might be, even if it is just for a moment, see this problem as a friend with something very valuable for you. For 5 -15 silent seconds simply thank God for this problem in your life and His desire to bring good from it. This can be really hard, but trust the process…it really works.
Then, for the next 15 – 60 silent, possibly uncomfortable, seconds, open yourself up to this new “friend” and what “it” wants to share with you. Let God share with you a picture, feeling, word, memory, song, phrase, complete breakthrough, or something else entirely. Trust that something will come even if it is within a very still small voice. Close your eyes and be silent for the next 15 – 60 seconds and simply ask God to use this problem to share what He wants you to know or experience. Jot down what you receive.
- If you don’t receive anything at all, that is okay. Simply thanking God for His desire to bring good from this situation is enough to transform it! Over the next few hours/days look for what He does.
- If you aren’t sure if what you receive is your own thoughts or your mind, that’s okay. If it is something backed by love and encouragement (even if it is convicting), simply trust that God used your thoughts and your mind to communicate with you. If it was harsh or discouraging then discount it and know it was not from God. Simply take a moment to thank God for His desire to bring good from this situation and watch for what He does.
- If you received something from God take a moment to pray about what you heard and ask God to partner with you in anything He revealed. If He showed you a path through the problem, consider asking Him to walk that path with you. If He showed you the good that is already coming from it, thank Him. If He showed you something specific to do, you might simply ask Him to help you do it.
This is how our problems can be our friends.
If you are facing a problem and want to explore what good God wants to bring out of it I would love to meet with you! Click on “Schedule Appointment” on the home page!
Sherri Cowhig Guides Leadership Teams to Integrate Faith and Business, Seeking God’s Direct Guidance for Growth, Challenges, and Building Spiritually Healthy Organizations!
Visit www.iMethod.life or email Sherri@iMethod.life to find out more.
Copyright © 2024 Sherri Cowhig All Rights Reserved
Thank you, Quino Al, on Unsplash for the photo!